Crumbling 90-year-old Mundare Grotto demolished for replacement
Someparishioners
“heartbroken” while others look forward to incorporatingold stonework with newdesign
BY JANA SEMENIUK
The Sts. Peter and Paul Grotto in Mundare, a place where many partook in religious functions and processions over several decades, is currently being demolished to make way for a new structure.
The disappointment of the local residents and parishioners over the decision to raze the 92-year-old stone structure is palpable, with some taking to social media to air their grief over the loss.
“The bulldozer is scheduled to demolish everything this month,” wrote one social media poster.
“90 plus years of history to soon disappear.”
The Town of Mundare also received several inquiries, prompting a post on their social media page directing people to the church with their comments and questions.
“People were under the assumption that the Town was somehow involved and could stop the demolition,” said Mundare Chief Administrative Officer Colin Zyla, explaining the post.
While most commenters were against the move to demo the Grotto, one poster wrote in support of the decision.
“Something more manageable will be built instead,” they wrote. “The existing grotto is falling apart.”
The Grotto was built from many large stones and concrete, and included several religious statues placed in alcoves. It also encompasssed a stage, stairs and railings in addition to a large
cross atop the structure.
Father John Sembrat, Superior of the Monastery, said by email that the intention of the demolition is not to erase history, “but to honour its legacy”.
“It was determined that the Grotto would need to be transformed— reimagined in a way that respects the past while making it more sustainable and meaningful for future generations,” he said by email.
“Elements such as the original stonework, statues, and Stations of the Cross will be preserved and incorporated into the new design, maintaining historical and spiritual continuity.”
While Fr. John supports preserving whatever elements are possible, long time parishioner Toni Siracky, 87, said she is still heartbroken the original structure will be gone.
“It’s beautiful,” she said. “Before I
was even born my father (Joe Warawa) hauled rocks for that Grotto. I was hoping (news of the demolition) wasn’t true. It’s been eating at my heart.”
Siracky said that although she would like to see the Grotto preserved somehow, the structure’s deterioration could make it impossible.
“The rocks are sliding, and so it's a safety thing. But at the same time, I have so many memories of being a little girl and going to church there, and going to the pilgrimage, and we used to have a service there,” said Siracky.
“To me, it should be a historical place. It shouldn't just be demolished.”
Meanwhile, Fr. John said the Grotto’s transformation “aims to create a renewed sacred space for communal prayer, personal contemplation, and encounters with the Lord.”
Historically speaking, Fr. John said the Grotto’s construction began in 1932 under the guidance of Fr. Porphyrius Bodnar, and the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated there on the Feast of the Saints Peter and Paul in 1935. Three years later, a cross with lights was installed to commemorate the 950th anniversary of Christianity in Ukraine.
Fr. John did not indicate when the demolition would be finished or when construction on the new structure would begin.
The Sts. Peter and Paul Grotto in Mundare, mid-demolition this week.
The Sts. Peter and Paul Grotto in Mundare as it looked just a few weeks ago. The 92-year-old Grotto will be replaced with as much of its historical stonework preserved as deemed possible.
Lamont Curling Club grateful to remain open thanks to Town
BY JANA SEMENIUK
The future of the Lamont Curling Club (LCC) was up in the air this past April when their curling season ended unexpectedly with the breaking down of the club’s ice plant.
The timing was devastating as it happened right before the club’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Last Chance Bonspiel, thus cancelling the event.
Then, a last-minute idea to turn the curling event into a Keg Curling event, not only saved the bonspiel but also landed the LCC on TV news and the local newspaper (Lamont Leader).
Once all the fun was over, the Club was left with a big problem; how does a small-town curling club pay for a $600,000 new ice plant?
The Town of Lamont had the answer. Back in May, the town council voted in favour of cover-
ing the cost, up to $600,000, to purchase the new ice plant, with a memorandum of understanding with the LCC where they will fundraise 25 percent of the cost, totalling $150,000.
“I’m happy the Town of Lamont stepped up because the sad thing is, in a lot of smaller towns, when the (Ice) plants die, (the clubs) just shut down,” said Gieger, adding the LCC currently has approximately 120 members.
“One of the things we were worried about, is if they didn't jump on the opportunity to get one built right away, if we lose one season, we basically would lose probably the majority of our curlers. Either they wouldn't come back or they would go somewhere else and stay there.”
“I thought it would have went down after 25 years, not 40,” he said.
“The Town was looking after the maintenance.”
According to the Town’s meeting minutes, the council voted to use funds, partially from reserves, and bring it back for financial review by the Aug. 26 council meeting.
Meanwhile, Gieger said the club has at least two major fundraising events planned for the coming year, including a golf tournament the weekend before Thanksgiving and a Bonspiel the weekend of the Grey Cup. Additionally, to help bring new curlers to the game, the LCC will host New Curler Nights in addition to a kids’ program.
“If you’ve never curled before, we have the gear
Gieger said the ice plant was first installed in 1981 and is amazed it has lasted so long.
and equipment. If people want to try it they’re more than welcome to come on down,” said Gieger.
“We’re always looking forward to having new
people join us.”
In terms of whether Keg Curling will become a regular end of the year event, Gieger said anything is possible.
“We’re thinking we
might do it at the end of the season, have it start with good ice and then shut (the ice plant) off,” he said.
“It’s just so much fun.”
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC from LAMONT HEALTH CARE CENTRE (LHCC)
Effective July 15, 2025, visiting hours for both the Hospital and Long Term Care Units will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.
This change has been made to align with the operating hours of our Emergency Department which are also 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
AFTER-HOURS ACUTE/ EMERGENCY CARE (i.e., 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Please be advised that after 8:00 p.m. there are limited services and Staff available at the hospital.
To ensure required and timely medical services needed, the public is urged to contact Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by calling 911 or proceed to a 24 - hour Emergency Department. The closest locations are in Fort Saskatchewan and Vegreville.
Healthlink is also available to assist 24 hours a day @ 811.
Lamont Curling Club members driving in the Town of Lamont's Summerfest parade July 12, showing their efforts to fundraise $150,000 of the club's $600,000 ice plant replacement cost. Photo: Jana Semeniuk
Alberta celebrates 75 years rat-free
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Alberta’s minister of agriculture and irrigation, RJ Sigurdson, celebrated the province’s 75th year rat-free with a statement by way of press release on July 14.
“Rats are a worldwide menace that destroy property and spread disease. For three quarters of a century, Alberta has proudly been one of the few jurisdictions on Earth to live without the pest. We owe that reputation to our Rat Control Program, established in 1950,” Sigurdson stated in the release.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for rats. If we spot an infestation, we quickly eradicate it. As a result, we’ve prevented millions of dollars in damages to farms and homes and ensured deadly diseases stay out of our province.”
The status of ‘Rat-free’ does not actually mean no rats, according to the province’s website. It states that “Alberta’s ratfree status means there is no resident population of rats and they are not allowed to establish themselves. It does not mean we never get rats. Small infestations occasionally occur but when found, the rats are isolated and eradicated through proven control methods.”
According to the historical book ‘Alberta in
the 20th Century’, Alberta was recognized as the only rat-free province as early as the 1940s, but that was about to change.
Norway rats, by far the most common, were making their way back into the province on the eastern border. Females who reportedly mature by three months, could go on to bear six or seven litters a year with five to fifteen babies in each one. They are not only clever, being able to find their way into nearly any food source, they can also reportedly eat up to 50 pounds of grain a year.
Then there are the diseases. According to reports, rats can carry bubonic plague, typhus, dysentery, rabies and trichinosis. The thought of an infestation was enough to put the fear into everyone.
One man came forward who was a formidable opponent to the rat. Napoleon Poulin, from Winnipeg, had his own pest control business and learned early on to hate rats.
“They ate my puppy dog in a grain shed when I was 8,” he reportedly said. “I’ve been killing them back ever since.”
Poulin signed a major extermination contract with the province in 1952. Years earlier, Poulin discovered a
sweet-smelling light blue arsenic powder that could eradicate the toughest rodents. He named the substance ‘Poulin’s Rat Doom’ and used it in Alberta.
For two summers, Poulin and his team lived in trailers and spread 70 tons of Poulin’s Rat Doom under 8,000 buildings and on 2,700 farms.
Unfortunately, while the arsenic was effective at exterminating the rats, it had the unintended consequences of poisoning livestock and pets.
Poulin’s program was discontinued in 1953 while the province developed their own Rat Control Program, evolving into what it is today.
After Poulin’s contract was finished, the province was once again declared rat-free. Soon, however, the rat population began to increase. It was recorded at 600 infestations in 1959 before steadily decreasing to 150 by 1980 and zero by 2003.
According to the Province’s website, Alberta’s borders mostly provide a natural barrier to rats, who depend on the presence of people to survive.
To the North, Alberta is protected by boreal mixed-wood forest, the West by the Rocky Mountains, and the south by open relatively
unsettled short-grass prairie.
The East, however, provides a route of invasion for rats along
sparsely populated rural areas. Alberta’s rat-control zone is 600 km long and 29 km wide from Cold Lake to the
Wayne Demchuk
TO A LOVING HUSBAND
Although our worlds are different now Or is that just how it seems
For I see you when I close my eyes
Because you are always in my dreams
I know you’re up in Heaven
And looking down on me
And when I look up at the stars
I know that’s where you’ll be
Even though I miss you
You’re not too far away
Because my heart is full of memories
And I treasure them everyday
Our time on Earth was special
But it’s only the very start
So please keep watching over me
While we’re not so far apart
Someday the time will come
When I no longer feel this pain
That is the day when Heaven calls
And we will meet again
Nibs June 29, 2009 ~ July9,2025
Missing & loving you both dearly, love Julie.
Montana border. Today it’s illegal to keep a rat as a pet in Alberta.
Two pest control trucks, owned by Napoleon Poulin, sit behind a mountain of rat carcasses in the late 40s. Poulin was contracted by the province in the early 50's to help eradicate the rat population.
Opinion
Elect Poilievre and don’t make Battle RiverCrowfoot by-election a national joke
BY JOHN MATHER
The upcoming Battle River-Crowfoot by-election is scheduled for Aug. 18.
Nominations will close on July 28 and after that those on the ballot are committed to running.
Now, this is the former riding of Damien Kurek, but it will be contested by Pierre Poilivre, leader of the Federal Conservative Party.
He had lost his former constituency of Ottawa Carleton in the April election. Of course there were also 91 names on the ballot.
Now in Battle River Crowfoot there are currently 143 names on the ballot. Of those, I would say five of these candidates can be considered legitimate.
Running against Poilievre is Grant Abraham of the United Party of Alberta; Boone Critchley, running as an independent; Michael Harris of the Libertarian Party of Canada; and Jeff Willerton of the Christian Heritage Party.
The rest are idiots who found some signatures and all have the same official agent, one Tomas Szuchewycz. They are supposedly representative of the longest ballot committee.
This is a group at one time aligned with the Rhinoceros Party, who now flood ballots in protest of the first past the post voting system.
Now this is a legitimate system of voting that has been established in Canada since before confederation.
Some politicians have argued to change it for a ranked ballot system where voters could choose their first, second, and third choice for election - are all awarded points for the party that they represent.
The committee's spokesperson, the aforementioned Tomas Szuchewycz declared their efforts at highlighting electoral reform during the election a success, amid criticisms of their method.
Now former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau staunchly argued for electoral reform - making it one of his main planks in the 2015 federal election. But, as with several others of his promises, he failed to change anything and then went on to babble on about dropping the election reform promise as one of his biggest regrets.
Trudeau never pushed for a ranked ballot, which allows voters to list their preferred candidates in numerical order.
CONTINUED
If one person doesn't get a clear majority on the first count, candidates are eliminated and second-choice votes are counted until someone has more than 50 per cent support.
So now, instead, we have all these bozos putting their names on the ballot creating incredibly long counting times and frustrated election workers.
And have their tactics accomplished anything?
No, except to gather the disdain of normal Canadians who think they are just wasting their time and costing Elections Canada money.
How many of these fools live in the riding? Will any show up at an all-candidates meeting?
I seriously doubt it.
Now I have no problem with using a ranked ballot.
Trudeau probably had the best chance of any government to make this change, because with the support of the now disgraced Jagmeet Singh and NDP, he could have carried the day.
But the initial report on voting reform was deemed irrelevant by the Liberals, who created it, and put it far away on a back shelf to never again see the light of day.
Kurek won the last Battle River-Crowfoot
election with 82.2 per cent of the popular vote. He collected 46,774 votes against 6,096 for the second place Liberal candidate, and 2,509 for the NDP candidate.
Now since the Liberals won another term under Mark Carney, the spectre of Alberta Separation has again become a hot topic, and supposedly separatists of all stripes are chomping at the bit to battle it out against Poilievre in a rural Alberta riding where apparently separatist sentiment could run high.
One flaw they are creating is running candidates under various separatists’ banners. Not all seem to have declared yet, but they have until the end of the month to register. Why?
Wouldn’t it be better to work together and just field one strong candidate, rather than several thereby splitting the vote?
In any case, Poilievre deserves a seat in the House of Commons. He has proven himself as the Conservative leader, has a strong presence in the House and will work for all Canadians, while having a strong leanings towards western fairness.
But people do need to vote.
By-elections traditionally have low turnouts which could give the long ballot fools and the separatists more credit than they really deserve.
Kerry Anderson Publisher John Mather Reporter Jana Semeniuk Reporter Crystal Moren
BY HAZEL ANAKA
The other day I did a quick and dirty trip to Canmore to meet a YouTube friend and her husband in person. What was extraordinary is that Carol and Geoff live in northern California. Carol and I have been YouTube friends for a couple or three years now. And the very technology we all love to hate is also responsible for making global friendships possible. Borders and politics disappear. Costs are negligible. Time and distance become irrelevant.
In the past we have exchanged what in the biz is known as happy mail. Mail, whether in a small envelope or a big parcel, whose sole purpose is to make someone else happy. Reciprocation is typically done though not necessary. The more people get to know each other, the more closely they listen, the better questions they ask the better the happy mail results. Most of us are collecting and curating
FROM WHERE I SIT: The Warm Glow
items for half a dozen or more people at any given time. In the past, Carol and Angela mailed me packages in December care of my son’s address in Denver. I, on the other hand take parcels down there to mail to California and Iowa. We are simply trying to save shipping costs which like everything else have gotten out of hand.
Several months ago, Carol began floating the idea of coming to Banff. I said, if you come to Banff, I’ll drive there to meet you. With most people, this sort of talk is cheap. But this family loves nature, camping, hiking, kayaking so this idea makes sense. Convincing Geoff wasn’t that hard. They made their way north, visited family, and another YouTube friend in Washington state. The day was fast approaching and I realized I didn’t have a place to lay my weary head. I chose the place we have our timeshare week hoping for a gratis one-night stay. Alas, it was not to be. They felt like heroes when they dropped the rate to $275 plus taxes. I gagged but was secretly relieved and grateful I wouldn’t be sleeping in my car or under a bridge.
It poured the entire way. Driving with the wipers going non-stop, trying to avoid hydroplaning, and being constantly in someone’s spray zone took its toll on me. I ended up stopping in Airdrie at an antique mall just to walk around and wake up. My eyes had flickered closed a couple times already and only a fool would have kept going without taking some action.
After I checked in, they came to my hotel room where we hugged, exchanged our happy mail booty, and talked talked talked. I suggested Boston Pizza for supper because they don’t have that restaurant in the US. It felt very comfortable. Carol and I have spoken on the phone, during live YouTube events, through email and texts. We are sympatico. Before heading out we made plans for breakfast the next morning followed by a little thrifting. These guys travel in a modified, out-fitted Ford van. If you can picture those taller diesel Mercedes vehicles that are used for work or play you get a good idea of what I’m talking about. Carol tells me that on Sunday night she awoke
Lamont and Area
LAMONT UNITED CHURCH
5306 - 51 Ave., Lamont, AB 780-895-2145
Rev. Deborah Brill SUNDAY SERVICES 11:15 AM There will be no Church Services during the month of July. Services will resume August 10th.
Everyone Welcome! CHECKOUTOURNEWFACEBOOKPAGE!!
AA Meetings Thursdays at 8:00 pm
feeling like something was crawling on her. With a flashlight and Google lens, they determined she’d been bitten on the chest by a black widow spider!!! These spiders are poisonous and have killed people. Because her breathing wasn’t affected, it didn’t require a trip to the emergency department. Pushing epinephrin and taking Advil for the pain got her through the night. By some fluke, I’d packed a tube of cortisone cream in my suitcase and over those two days it brought her some comfort. She was quick to say the spider had likely come across the border with them because it’s too cold for them here. On Tuesday morning when I requested a tour of the Ford, she spotted likely the same spider on the jacket draped on the back of her seat. Clearly, he hadn’t been obliterated in the middle of Sunday night. Just one more reason to love Canada…. We had a grand old time at the thrift store and took part in #$10thriftchallenge. We each spent $10 buying something for the other person. To complete the challenge, we went to a coffee shop with excep-
tional lighting and Geoff filmed our exchange of items. Yes, we became those annoying people who break the reverie of a public space with such a self-indulgent act. The place was lovely but the acoustics left something to be desired. Thank goodness Carol has some editing skills. She’d shot some B roll footage in the thrift store that will get incorporated into the final video.
Because that seemed to go quite well, Geoff then became our human tripod for a YouTube live event. We quickly spread the word and had about 20 people watching. We
talked to our friends, answered questions in the chat, and laughed a lot. Just to be clear, I never would have done this on my own. A few more hugs and we were each hitting the road and heading home. I encountered not a drop of rain and was grateful for an easier drive. I’ve just heard that their crossing back into the States was uneventful so we’re all grateful for that. It’s been crazy busy since my return so I haven’t had time to properly savour the memories of meeting another like-minded creator. Luckily, the warm glow will return as I handle and use the treasures I was gifted, from where I sit.
From the files of the Lamont Leader
Bruderheim Community Church 4904 Queen Street 780-796-3775
SUNDAY
WORSHIP
10:30 AM
All are Welcome! Check us out on Facebook
March 19, 2013 issue of the Lamont Leader: Former Andrew resident Brent Babiuk was honing his skills on the hammer dulcimer at the Ukrainian Music Workshop in Mundare on March 9.
Battery fires a big concern at St. Michael Landfill
Improper disposal of lithium batteries causing fires at landfill
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Bob Davies, site supervisor at the St. Michael Landfill, has big concerns around fires.
Davies, who has been working at the waste site for the past 10 years, said lithium batteries are finding their way into the landfill and inadvertently creating the perfect scenario for an outof-control fire.
“It’s not the ones used in vehicles, it’s the rechargeable ones, the smaller lithium batteries,” he said, adding the landfill has endured four fires in the past few months, all attributed to improperly disposed of lithium batteries.
“The first three fires were (caused by) a small battery pack that can be found in a remote control for a toy. It's two lithium batteries that are togeth-
er, and there's a wire coming out the end. So when the track loader drives over that, because the operator can't see that in all the garbage, it bursts into flames,” said Davies.
“A normal fire extinguisher will not put out a lithium battery fire. The only way you can extinguish the fire is to cut off the oxygen source.”
Davies said dirt, used as cover material, is set up at strategic points around the landfill to use as quick extinguisher should a fire break out. However, a fourth fire erupted very quickly and surprised Davies with its intensity.
“(An operator) drove over a laptop and it burst into flames. By the time he went to get a scoop of dirt and back to the fire, the flames were over two
feet high,” he said.
Davies said he keeps a collection of batteries on his desk to show people who come to the landfill what can happen if battery items are not disposed of properly.
He also referenced a fire at the Leduc landfill in May that nearly took the life of a 28-year-old worker who suffered third and fourth degree burns to 65 percent of his body while fighting the fire.
“That should never have happened. What they didn’t know was the fire had migrated underneath the landfill. The fire will take the course of least resistance of stuff that will burn, so the fire was inside the landfill. The track loader fell through and the man had to be extracted from the track loader by the
Leduc fire department,” said Davies.
“We have no idea yet, because the investigation is ongoing, as to what caused that fire. It could have been numerous things, but everybody's focusing on the lithium batteries.”
According to reports, the May 31st fire at the Leduc landfill took over 36 hours to suppress.
“It’s very scary, because even though we pack the landfill pretty tight, there's roots in that landfill where a fire can migrate through quite easily. That's the fear. And we can ill afford to have a problem like that,” said Davies.
“The entire landfill could burn, and we don't want to see that.”
Additionally, Davies said fighting fires in
landfills is expensive.
According to Richmond Steel Recycling, over $1.2 billion is spent annually fighting rechargeable battery fires at landfills in North America.
Davies added that not all batteries are intentionally being thrown in the landfill, as some peo-
ple simply do not realize their garbage contains them, or someone else has filled the garbage bag unbeknownst to the person dropping it off.
“(The big offenders are) toys, laptops, cordless vacuums and smartphones,” he said.
Continued on Page 8
Properly dispose of batteries
Continued from Page 6
“Also, some camping equipment, remote starter for your car, and (handheld) video games. If you have to plug it in, or recharge it, you can’t dispose of it in the landfill.”
Davies said the St. Michael Landfill has special areas where items containing batteries can be disposed of properly.
Meanwhile, Lamont County Communications Director Jay Zaal said firefighting training for battery fires is now included as standardized firefighting training.
“The techniques for fighting these fires are constantly evolving and new approaches are being shared throughout the fire service,” he said by email.
Additionally, Lamont County Emergency
Services Deputy Regional Chief Scott Calder said through Zaal; “with the increased presence (of lithium-ion batteries) in our everyday lives, the risk of fire has increased significantly”. Calder also offered safety tips for disposing
of the batteries including; speaking to landfill/Eco-station staff about proper disposal of these batteries at their facility, not putting lithium-ion batteries in the trash and instead recycling them, and to avoid putting discarded batteries of any type in piles.
THURSDAY, Aug. 7
4:30 pm Food Truck Fair, Kids Activities & Inflatables 7:00 pm Bull Bash - Late night Beer Garden onsite to follow
1:00 - 6:00 pm: Western Market 3:00 pm: Rodeo Performance 9:00 pm : Rodeo Dance with Live Band Featuring: Slow Walkin’ Walter
SUNDAY, Aug. 10
1:00 pm: Rodeo Performance
St. Michael Landfill site supervisor Bob Davies stands in front of electronic recycle cages while holding two lithium batteries.
Photo: Jana Semeniuk
Pre-Harvest East Central Machinery Consignment Auction
BY JANA SEMENIUK
The Andrew Mini-Golf is enjoying a fresh new prop on hole number 16 thanks to village councillor John Vanvyfeyken.
The councillor, newly elected during a Nov. byelection in 2023, said he likes to work with wood and saw an oppor-
tunity to help with the run-down windmill sitting at the mini-golf course.
“I’m really happy with this,” he said after unveiling the newly refurbished windmill July 11. “It turned out better than I thought it would.”
Vanvyfeyken said the original housing and the windmill blades were all he could use, and rebuilt the rest of the structure which took nearly a month to complete.
He chose a blue and yellow theme in keeping with the colours of Ukraine.
Andrew Chief Administrative Officer Kylie Rude said she feels the village is lucky to have residents who take a big interest in volunteering their efforts wherever they can.
“It’s wonderful to have such talented community members. We really appreciate John’s work on building and painting the new windmill,” she said. “It looks amazing!”
The Village Mini-Golf is currently run by summer students and help from community volunteers.
Andrew mini-golf windmill gets a facelift County residents’ opinion survey heading to final week
BY JANA SEMENIUK
An invitation for Lamont County residents to provide their feedback on the county’s service levels and budget through an online survey is entering its final week.
According to the County’s website the survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and all
responses are confidential. Additionally, the website indicated the results will be compiled and will be used by the council to help in their decision-making process. The survey can be filled out online or paper copies are available at the county office.
The survey opened on July 7 and will close July 31.
FIDDLERS AT THE FORT
I MAKE HOUSE
Village of Andrew Councillor John Vanvyfeyken stands next to the newly refurbished windmill he donated his time and materials to rebuild for the village mini-golf course. Vanvyfeyken delivered the windmill on July 11. Photo courtesy John Vanvyfeyken.
The Grand North American Old Time Fiddle Championships were held in Fort Sask from July 17-20. Here shows the final performance of the weekend.
PRICING
$20/wk for the first 35 words 45¢ for each additional word 4 Papers 16,000 readers
CARD OF THANKS
Sorry it’s delayed, but the families of Arnold Usenik would like to say thank you for helping us celebrate his life. The community and extended family support was so amazing. Would like to thank everyone for all the cards, flowers and donations to STARS.
Lorna Usenik and Famlies
COMING EVENTS
Canada’s Oldest Pro Rodeo returns this weekend
BRUCE STAMPEDE
Friday, July 25 at 7pm
ABRA Jackpot. Limited concession. Saturday, July 26
LOCAL Rodeo at 12:30pm. $10
Horseshoe Tournament at 1pm.
CPRA Slack Runs at 5:30pm - FREE admission.
Entertainment with The River Jacks with Beer Gardens and Dance. $10 per person. Starts at 9pm.
Sunday, July 27
Pancake Breakfast at both rodeo grounds and Bruce Community Centre from 8-10am. Grand Parade on the streets of Bruce starting at 10am from the Community Centre.
Christian Cowboy Gospel Service at the rodeo grounds at 11am. CPRA Pro Rodeo starts at 1pm. $20 per person at the gate. Kids 12 and under FREE. FREE dry camping (no services) and FREE parking all Stampede weekend long! www.BruceStampede.com
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High Noon on the Prairies
An annual reunion/get-together for veterans.
All Veterans Welcome!
Aug. 18-21 at Hardisty United Lake Church Campground
Please contact Bob Stuart at 780-385-4224 or Dan Lemire at 780-781-0954, or email: hnotp@hotmail.com
27/32p
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Raspberries are ready!!!
Garden veggies to follow soon. East of Sedgewick, off Highway 13, turn north on RR122, then go north 3 miles. Helen Tanton - 780-888-6800 28tfnc
CLASSIFIEDS
COMING EVENTS
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Organizational meeting for friends and family of Bethania Lutheran Cemetery on July 30 at 7 p.m. (at the cemetery)
In case of rain, alternate date is Aug. 6
Bring your lawn chairseveryone is welcome. 27/29p
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Viking Gymnastics Club will be having their registration open August 22, 2025 for our 8 week fall sessions. Please look for more information regarding registration closer to the above date. Don’t forget to sign your kids up fast as registration fills up quickly.
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VISIT OSOYOOS, BC - A haven for snowbirds looking for milder winter weather and an abundance of activities! Hotel suites starting from just $800/month. Learn more at www.osoyoossnowbirds.com; call the Osoyoos Visitor Centre at 1-888676-9667 or email: visit@destinationosoyoos.com to request digital information on wintering in Osoyoos.
FOR RENT
Large Two bedroom Suite and One bedroom Suite in Killam. Large, clean, quiet. Available August 1. Call Chuck at 780-263-7290 26tfnc
One bedroom basement suite for rent in Viking - available August 1st. Separate entrance. Shared laundry. $800 mo. Utilities included. Call or text 780-717-6783
Attention Edmonton
Post Secondary Students: Newly renovated one bedroom basement suite in safe, quiet Sherwood Park neighborhood. Close to bus terminal with express bus to NAIT, Norquest, U. of A. & MacEwan. Fully furnished and equipped with TV, air fryer, fridge, microwave, A/C, security system, central vac, etc. Including wifi, cable and utilitilies. Shared laundry and entrance. Street parking. $1100/month $550 DD Call or Text Debbie 780-907-8209 28/29p
FOR SALE
Saskatoon U Pick
Open Daily 8 am - 8 pm $10/ 4 litre pail 15217 Twp Rd. 492
Call/ text 780-893-5490 TMP
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Trees for sale: Brian has the following for sale: Windbreak trees, poplars, disease resistant and fuzz free. AC Sundancer, fast-growing, 3 years old; Open leaf poplar, fastgrowing, 3 years old; Laurel leaf Willows, 2-16', 2-12', and 4-6' available. Cherry and Plum trees also available. Buyer’s responsibility to dig out all trees. Call Brian to make an appointment at 780-678-0053.
Must be gone by Aug. 15
Raspberry and Strawberry plants for sale. Bare Root Only. Raspberries only on site, buyer to dig out. Strawberries, various varieties, $1 per bare root. Buyer to dig out OR potted and picked up at Daysland beside Pharmacy. (Should be planted as soon as dug). Call Brian to make arrangements at 780-678-0053.
BLACKTOF ANGUS FARMS
Offering quality Black Angus bulls, can be used on cows or heifers. Phone: 780-218-2081 TM27-29P
2000 Doepker Super B Trailers Tarp V.G./Brakes & S-Cams replaced. Also all Air Bags & Air Tanks (except 1) have been replaced. Asking $42,500. Call 780-385-2065. 28/29p
PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.
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Elderly Care. Not ready to let go of your freedom (but needing support)? Cooking. Baking. Cleaning. Yard Work. Gardening. Serving Viking-Sedgewick-KillamBruce-Hardisty-Irma. Call Jackie (780) 385-1019.
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General Contractor
Red Seal Journeyman Plumber and Gasfitter. Bathroom Renos & Tile New to the Area. 30 plus Years of Experience. Dave 403-999-8464
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Mike & Dave RV Inc. Service, Storage, Parts. Call us today! 780-415-5015 or visit our website: www.mdrv.ca **Located just 11 kms North of Tofield on Highway 834**. TM27-32P
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Medical Taxi Service
Personal Taxi Service to Edmonton and Back -$175 •Office Hours Mon-Fri 9-5 •Absolutely NO Hidden Fees •Escort to Reception/Waiting Room •Pick up and Drop off at your door •Top Notch Service! •Includes up to 4 Hour Wait •Locally Owned and Operated 587-987-7810
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Painting
Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749
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CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com.
FIREARMS WANTED FOR OUR 2025 AUCTION PROGRAM: Firearms, Ammunition, Accessories, or Militaria. Collections, Estates or single items. For Auction, or Possible Purchase: Contact us: 1-800-694-2609, Email: sales@switzersauction.com or Visit us @ www.switzersauction.com for Auction Dates & Details.
RCMP issue urgent killer drug warning
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Alberta RCMP are warning the public about a deadly supply of drugs that closely resemble the common antianxiety medication called ‘Xanax’.
Police said the counterfeit pills have tested positive for deadly quantities of the highly potent opioid known as isotonitazene, which caused the death of an Edmonton area 16-year-old.
Police said real Xanax does not contain opioids.
“We are investigating the death of a 16-yearold youth where there is a nexus to isotonitazene.
Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out,” said RCMP Public Information Officer Cpl. Troy Savinkoff via press release.
“Yes, the drugs are illegal, but more important is that the public knows the extreme danger that this dangerous replica can pose. We are working to interdict the supply and notify the public.
Police described the fake drugs as grey in appearance, rectangular shaped and have the letters ONAX imprinted on one side. Additionally, there is a number 2 printed vertically on the opposite side.
According to reports, Edmonton police seized $5,000 worth of the replica pills on June 19.
Meanwhile, Cpl. Savinkoff wants the public to heed the warning.
“Please look at the photos,” said Savinkoff.
“Share them with your kids, friends, and relatives, and let them know that these pills could kill them.”
Session being held for anyone thinking of running for council
BY JANA SEMENIUK
A conversation between Lamont County Reeve David Diduck, a few of his councillors and administration spawned an idea in perfect timing with the upcoming election Oct. 20; an information session aimed at educating people who are thinking of running for council.
“Traditionally, an orientation session was held after the election. At times, newly elected people are kind of lost and it takes a while to figure out their roles,” said Diduck.
“The orientation session will let them know what is involved and if the role will fit their expectations.”
Diduck, who has been on County Council since 2017, said some newly elected councillors confuse their new role as one of administrating verses governing.
“The orientation session will separate the two roles and identify the governance areas a councillor is responsible for, such as development of a strategic plan, key decisions on municipal infrastructure, budgeting, economic development and the delivery of municipal services,” he said.
The Candidate Information session is open to anyone in Lamont County, including all towns and villages, thinking of running for council.
It’s being hosted by the Town of Bruderheim on Aug. 6 at the Bruderheim Firehall at 6 p.m. Anyone interested in attending must register before Aug. 1 by either emailing the Town of Bruderheim at info@bruderheim.ca or by using the online form available at Bruderheim.ca.
A deadly fake Xanax drug pictured on both sides. Photo: RCMP supplied
Other Items of Interest
Weed Wednesday – REMINDERS of noxious weeds and control.
See Lamont County Facebook and X for posters each week. Visit: lamontcounty.ca/weeds for a full list of weeds that are commonly identified across Lamont County This week’s featured prohibited weed is Field Scabious. If you find it, report it! Learn all about it at: abinvasives.ca/fact-sheet/field-scabious/.
Private Dust Abatement Summer intake:
DEADLINE TO apply is July 31. lamontcounty.ca/news/post/private-dustcontrol-july-intake
Heritage Day: Lamont County offices/buildings are closed Aug. 4 for the stat.
Local County and municipality events, farmers’ markets, community services programming (including summer camps), community celebrations and activities, Council and committee meetings, etc., can be found at: lamontcounty.ca/eventscalendar
Reduce the Risk – Farmer Mental Health Support
Canada is facing a mental health crisis; many people are struggling with mental health and addiction issues across the country. Help is out there!
Farmers typically don’t seek out help when struggling with their mental health, but help is available for those who:
- may feel like they should be able to handle any situation on their own, including emotional distress or personal struggles.
- may be worried that mental health professionals would not understand their needs due to the nature of their work as farmers (lack of Ag. Culture competency).
- are production-focused and often don’t recognize the impact that prioritizing mental health can have on their farm & family.
This is an Alberta approach to farm mental health: agknow.ca (as part of the Alberta Farm Mental Health Network and resources).
Recent News Posts (lamontcounty.ca/news)
SAFETY REMINDER: Lamont County summer roadside work continues. Please exercise caution when passing equipment, including private farm and industrial equipment on our roads. If you have any questions related to road use, closures, etc., please contact Ag. Services, 780-895-2585 or Public Works at 780-895-2547.
Temporary Road Closures (July 12) NEWS RELEASE – Second Annual Great Bruderheim Water Fight Makes a Splash Across… (July 15)
Community Services: Serving Lamont County, Lamont, Bruderheim, Mundare, Andrew & Chipman (
(VISIT: lamontcounty.ca/community-programming for full posters, dates, contact information & registration info or call 780-8952233 for info./registration). Current CALC, FCSS & KFRN and seniors’ activities include:
1.KFRN: Mindful Meetups – Drop-in programs in July/Aug. (Lamont, Bruderheim & Mundare). 2. Community Awareness Nights – in September.
Beaver Control Reminder & nity Awareness – in September n Beaver trapping occurs in problem areas to reduce damage to infrastructure, water bodies & to open up flow on moving water; some dams will remain as assistance for drought prevention. Keep pets on leash for safety. Note: it is a criminal offense to damage or remove traps. If additional information is needed, contact Agricultural Services at 780-895-2585. For feral pigs/wild boar sightings, learn more and report via abinvasives.ca/squeal-on-pigs
3. Seniors’ Coffee: 10-11 a.m. (Wed.) in Andrew, & (Thurs.) and in Mundare. Join FCSS for coffee, conversation, snacks, & assistance with senior-related supports. Seniors Coffee is in St. Michael (Thurs.) from 10 a.m. to noon.
4. SUMMER CAMPS & SUMMER FUN - Registration started June 2 (see lamontcounty.ca/community-programming for FCSS & KFRN programs).
5.KFRN: The Great Bruderheim Ice Cream Buffet (Aug. 20) – Kids 0-10 and waiver required (in partnership with the Town of Bruderheim). See Lamont County’s calendar for local community events, public meetings & other important dates lamontcounty.ca/eventscalendar
REGULAR COUNCIL AND Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meetings
T s welcome to attend any scheduled meeting in person or virtually).Meetings start at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers/Lamont County Admin. Bldg. (unless otherwise noted).
Next Regular Council Meeting: Tuesday, August 12 | Next ASB meeting: Wednesday, August 13 lamontcounty.ca/governance/agendas-minutes | lamontcounty.ca/agendas-minutes-asb
Please Note – inFocus is also available for viewing online at: lamontcounty.ca/communications (for those wanting to view the weekly submission as full-sized PDF and to access hyperlinks).
Waiver for The Great Bruderheim Ice Cream Buffet is available at lamontcounty.ca /community-programming
